News: Medic recognized for experience and hard work

Spc. Michael Jones, combat medic, 1st Med. Brigade, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, checks the fluid levels of one of the command group’s three vehicles as part of a periodic maintenance check April 12. Maintaining the working order of the vehicles became his top priority as soon as he took on the role of command driver. (Photo by Spc. Bradley J. Wancour, 13th PAD)

FORT HOOD, Texas – As a soldier finishes up his time in 1st Medical Brigade, he reflected on the opportunities he was given at his very first duty station as an active duty soldier.

Spc. Michael Jones, combat medic, 1st Med. Bde. Headquarters and Headquarters Company, was recognized for his outstanding work ethic and motivation by being offered the illustrious position of command driver.

During his roughly two-and-a-half years as a combat medic with the 1st. Med. Bde., Jones showed more motivation and drive than many other Soldiers in the brigade, said his supervisor, Sgt. Gina Preshong, executive assistant, 1st Med. Bde., HHC.

“He’s a bit older than others of his rank, so he brings more life experience to the table,” said Preshong. “And in the Army, experience gives you more discipline, which really helps you succeed.”

The 1st Med. Bde. leadership, Preshong included, noticed Jones’ discipline and drive, which eventually led to him being offered the role of command driver - 14 months ago.

“When the leadership approached me and asked if it was something I was interested in doing, I was truly humbled,” Jones stated.

Jones explains that the position of command driver is not one handed out lightly to the average soldier.

“They were looking for someone who was more responsible because of the magnitude of the task,” he said.

Since then, Jones has performed driver duties in several different environments with the command team.

“I drove for 1st Med. Bde. before they deployed to Afghanistan, for the rear detachment during the deployment, and now again after they got back,” said Jones.

Even before taking on the extra task of being a driver, Jones had not had the opportunity to perform many duties as a combat medic.

“Being in a headquarters company of a medical brigade means you don’t do the medical side of your job very much,” said Jones. “Every now and again there will be a training exercise where we play medic, but that’s really it.”

Taking on the role of driver meant that his main priority became the maintenance of the command group vehicles, which includes periodic maintenance checks and the replacement of parts such as headlights and brake lights. Before he was a driver, he was still separated from his duties as a combat medic.

“[Before being selected as a driver] I’ve worked in operations, wrote mission support orders, and performed other support operations,” Jones stated.

When he is not working with one of the command group’s three vehicles, Jones works with others in the command suite to complete administrative duties of the command group.

Among these is Preshong, who was his supervisor before 1st Med. Bde.’s deployment and now again after the unit returned to Texas.

“Sgt. Preshong and I are a good team,” Jones stated. “Us in the command suite have to work together to get things done.”

Jones’ new assignment, a clinic in Wiesbaden, Germany, means that he will be getting back to the roots of his military occupational specialty. Despite working mainly in tasks other than those of a combat medic, he looks back fondly on his time in 1st Med. Bde.

“1st Med. has been great as long as I have been here,” Jones stated. “Teamwork is big here; we all work well together and get things done. It’s been great.”